In recent years, there has been an increasing number of cases of illegal encampments on farmland involved in anti-social behaviour, such as criminal damage, fly-tipping and intimidation.
The NFU has raised theses issues with MPs and ministers at Westminster and in constituencies, and regularly meets with police and crime commissioners and police leads to look at opportunities to work together to find solutions for farm businesses and travelling communities.
The new measures will target encampments that threaten the local community or are causing significant disruption and distress.
Working together
The NFU believes it is crucial that a consistent and co-ordinated approach between local authorities, police and land occupiers is taken to ensure the new powers are utilised effectively.
It is vital that there are sufficient authorised sites available across the country to ensure the issue of illegal encampments is not simply pushed onto another patch of public or private land.
Key features of the new measures:
- Police will be given powers to seize vehicles and arrest offenders.
- Tougher sentencing guidelines: a prison sentence of up to three months, or a fine of up to £2,500, or both.
- Police will be allowed to direct trespassers away from land and prohibit them from returning within 12 months.
- The range of factors that police can consider when enforcing the law will be broadened. They will include interference with access to utilities, such as water, gas and electricity, and environmental damage, such as excessive noise pollution or littering.
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